Miller joins ESPN security team

Published 9:09 am, Friday, September 14, 2012

Former State Trooper Gordan Miller has found the perfect combination of business and pleasure as the retired patrolman has been hired to run security for some of ESPN’s premier sports events.

Last week, Miller, who had worked for the local DPS office for a little over 31 years, took the opportunity to provide security for the sports channel’s popular College GameDay, which offered game coverage of the Michigan and Alabama football game.

“We just got to make sure they are safe,” Miller said as he described how his team of close to 20 officers kept ESPN’s GameDay broadcasters safe amidst the 90,413 fans that packed into Cowboys’ Stadium for the 2012 Cowboys’ Classic.

“We are there to protect the announcers or ‘talent,’” Miller said. “We are hired to control the crowd while everything is going on and we keep everybody calm, peaceful and we keep things moving on.”

During last week’s game, Miller and his security team provided direct security for ESPN GameDay broadcasters Lee Corso, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit. During the broadcast, Miller directed around 12 stadium security officers to guard equipment while six officers guarded the talent. Throughout the game, Miller followed the broadcasters everywhere including onto the field where he watched College GameDay announcers interview players and coaches on the sideline.

“I watched him and I watched the game too; I just like sports,” said Miller with a laugh.

Miller said he was even able to provide courtesy security for ABC’s Brent Musberger, who announced the play-by-play on the major network.

ESPN noticed Miller several years ago when he ran security for the College GameDay broadcast during the Texas Tech upset of Texas in Lubbock.

“I was hired as one of the officers to guard the talent and I met a few people and became friends.” Miller said. Several years later, Miller said that his new friends in the business found out that he had retired and suggested he send a resume to ESPN.

Impressed with his duties at the Texas Tech game, ESPN offered Miller a contract to work on ESPN’s security team.

Working mostly at ESPN events near his vicinity; Miller says he will be ready to go wherever ESPN needs him. Since shows like College GameDay are sporadic, following that week’s hottest game, Miller’s schedule will be constantly changing. But Miller says he will be looking forward to the possibilities of covering local big events like NBA finals and other professional and college sports events.